Chris Izworski, reporting from Michigan, turns to Muskegon County this morning to find the post-breeding season well established across the southern Lower Peninsula. The 125 species logged in the past two weeks paint a picture of early-summer stagnation punctuated by some genuinely interesting sightings, particularly at the Muskegon Wastewater System, which continues its usual role as the county's most productive birding destination.
Waterfowl and Shorebirds at the Wastewater System
The Muskegon Wastewater System has dominated recent activity with 35 Ruddy Ducks reported as of July 5, establishing it as the focal point for dabbling and diving ducks in the county right now. Sixteen Spotted Sandpipers have also been tallied there, along with 12 American Black Ducks, 8 Blue-winged Teals, and 6 Mallards. The presence of these species in mid-July signals the onset of shorebird migration, which typically ramps up after mid-month. The wastewater ponds create ideal shallow-water habitat for staging shorebirds during the post-breeding dispersal period.
Most intriguing are the four separate eBird reports of Greater Yellowlegs from July 5 at the same location. This may represent a single bird or multiple individuals, but it underscores the wastewater system's reliability for finding early migrants. The same site produced a Ring-necked Duck on July 4, a reasonable if uncommon sighting for early July. That yellow-billed cuckoo reports also came from the wastewater system on July 4 is worth noting; three separate entries suggest either repeat observations of one individual or a small influx, though cuckoos remain sparsely distributed across the county in summer.
Purple Martins and Late-Summer Swallows
Twenty-four Purple Martins were observed at a Muskegon Lake residence on July 6, a strong count for this time of year. Eight Tree Swallows have been logged at Muskegon Lake Nature Preserve. Late July into August typically brings conspicuous gatherings of swallows on wires and over marshes as juveniles fledge and staging occurs prior to migration. Watch for these aggregations over the next few weeks, particularly in early morning and early evening.
Unexpected Inland Sightings
Ten Wild Turkeys were reported on July 6 at a residential address on Lincoln Street in Muskegon proper, well inland from typical habitat. This likely represents a family group and is consistent with turkey range expansion throughout southern Michigan. Also worth mentioning: Brewer's Blackbirds (8 individuals) and Horned Larks (6 individuals) at the wastewater system on July 5. These species are present but not abundant in Muskegon County, making larger counts noteworthy.
Gulls and Other Generalists
Twenty-three Ring-billed Gulls were recorded at Michigan's Adventure on July 7. This species is ubiquitous and counts vary widely depending on observer effort and time of day. Gulls are not the primary target in summer but remain useful as part of a broader count effort. Fifteen European Starlings and 15 Canada Geese have also been reported, both species present in typical numbers for the season.
Weather and Timing Today
Today brings sunny conditions, 86 degrees, and light south winds between 3 and 10 mph. These are reasonable early-July conditions, though not particularly exciting for birding. The extended daylight (sunrise at 6:11 AM, sunset at 9:27 PM) means the dawn chorus window runs from 5:41 to 7:41 AM, a compressed period for catching vocalizing birds. Warblers are notably quiet at this season. Tonight's chance of showers and thunderstorms may freshen tomorrow's conditions somewhat, though tomorrow's forecast remains unsettled with continued chances of precipitation and 81 degrees.
Recommendations for Today
The Muskegon Wastewater System remains your best bet in the county, given its consistent production of waterfowl and early migrants. If you're aiming for shorebirds and unusual waterfowl, get there early while water levels and mudflats are optimal for observation. Muskegon State Park offers a larger habitat mosaic and may turn up vagrants; it ranks second county-wide with 252 all-time species and can provide a more scenic half-day outing if the wastewater system feels repetitive.
Check the live map and full county data at https://birding.chrisizworski.com.